Sudbrook get a reminder (From Free Press Series)

Sudbrook get a reminder

SUDBROOK player-coach Mark O'Leary has urged his side to start remembering their ground is a fortress to be feared and not a picnic park for other teams to enjoy playing at.

O'Leary's men lost a tense home tussle against 1999 Premiership champions Abergavenny on Saturday.

Asked whether the club's ground had lost its aura of invincibility, O'Leary was quick to reply, insisting their rivals still "don't look forward to coming here".

The Sudbrook player-coach said: "The Deepweir ground is still a fortress for us. We have not lost that tag, we just have to remember it sometimes. People do not like coming to play us here, and that's what we have to focus on."

Against a headstrong Abergavenny side who posted a comfortable 230-6, Sudbrook built a rod for their own back with an error-ridden innings collapsing for just 155. The only relative highlight was a half-century from Chris Archer.

"I'm disappointed," added O'Leary. "We fielded superbly, but there was probably one or two many bad balls we bowled which they took advantage off.

"Our batting wasn't perfect either. There were some lazy shots out there. Rather than them bowling us out, we got ourselves out.

"This was a game we wanted to win. We were at our home ground and should have ground out the victory. It is disappointing, because as a side I want us to win our home games. "We are more experienced than Abergavenny and have bigger hitters, but things just didn't happen.

"To be fair, they did bowl exceptionally well and it's hard to get on top in that situation, but we still threw wickets away out there and gave them to big a helping hand.

"There was a bit of a grilling in the changing room after the match.

"We have to win these home matches. It's your own den and these other sides should be on the back foot before they even get here.

We know the ground and the wicket and have to make that count."

Abergavenny coach Keith Newell said he was impressed with Sudbrook's players, but reckoned the club were struggling after the departure of former coach Paul Jarvis last season.

"The loss of Paul Jarvis was a big one for the club. His influence there will be missed most. He brought a lot to the side in the way of professionalism and the will to win. He has a passion for winning. With him not there it leaves a hole, but they still have dangerous enough players to do well."

This Saturday, Sudbrook are home to Cardiff. The match starts at 1pm.

Sudbrook put up a convincing display against Gloucestershire side Brean on Sunday winning by 25 runs thanks to a fine century from 14-year-old Jamie Watkins.